Most teams have tried limiting the other players, psyching Kobe into taking wild shots and giving Shaq his points--with little success. Looks like the opposite strategy will be tried a few times given the zone--Give Kobe his points from the perimeter, stop others, frustrate Shaq by preventing the entry pass or making him pass out of the collapsing zone. Might just work at times. On our side, Hakeem, Eddie, Terence, Langhi, and Francis would make a pretty formidable zone against outside oriented teams--big and quick. Against the Lakers, the Rockets may have to bring Collier in to keep Shaq from easily getting position and collapse with some combo of Langhi, Eddie, Terence, and Hakeem making the outlet pass much tougher. This is going to be an interesting year and I think the Rockets will be one of the teams that expertly exploits the new rules. We also get to see if Zen Master can actually coach as well as he tends to the egos of his players. ------------------ Fire is good--www.nifc.gov
Maybe the Whole "Plane Category" is 1st? ------------------ The title will come to ClutchCity once again.
Just a thought here, does anyone think the reason the NBA wants the zone defense is because of the lack of Centers in the NBA? In other words, to give teams a chance to beat the Lakers? ------------------ "For there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so." - William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Hamlet
The best way to beat the Lakers on offense is to take Shaq away from the basket. Look at what Hakeem did to him in the '95 Finals. Nobody will ever beat Shaq by out-muscling him. It has to be done with agility and a good shot. In a few years, a guy like Eddy Curry could contain Shaq but it will take an athletic center that can make Shaq move around on defense and wear him out that will be the key to beating Shaq. ------------------ President of the Eddie Griffin fan club.
Didn't Cato also stop Shaq at one time, as humiliating as that may sound? for Shaq Deltar ------------------ "Minute after minute, hour after hour, the proud and strong knight struggled in vain against the wasp inside his armour."
